Earlier this month, Watford confirmed Gianluca Nani will be their new sporting director after Cristiano Giaretta’s decision to step down from his post to pursue new opportunities.
Nani was the Hornets’ technical director between 2012 and 2014 and has now started his second spell at Vicarage Road.
The Italian has been speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb to discuss his return to Watford. Nani has revealed he was delighted when the English club’s owner, Gino Pozzo, gave him an opportunity to become Giaretta’s successor.
When asked what ‘environment’ he found again at the Championship side, he said: “Extraordinary. I found the same people as at the time: secretarial and management, people with whom I have always had a great relationship. And then I found an improved club, demonstrating that those who preceded me did a great job.”
Valérien Ismaël’s side are currently ninth in the table and are trailing sixth placed Hull City by five points. The new director has made it clear Watford’s aim is to return to the top flight.
“Whoever participates in the Championship must aim for the Premier League. We know it’s difficult, it’s a tournament with 24 teams and three [get] promoted. But we still have a duty to try. We are five points away from the playoffs and it is our duty to try to reach the major goal,” Nani explained.
The 61-year-old started his management career at Brescia and knows the market well in his own country. It was no surprise to see TMW quiz him on whether Watford will look at the Italian market in January.
Responding to that, he said: “We look everywhere, with a particular eye on England. We have to focus a lot on the English championship also by virtue of the regulations. And then adapting to this championship is not easy.”
